Overhead door



March 3, 1936.

FiledMarch 8, 1.954

' 2 Sheets-Sheet l 12L j a Z a (9 50 a 53 M M w f5? 44;

H m u U u u.

0a?! JJahn son March 3, 1935. c J. JQHNSON 2&32354 OVERHEAD DOOR Filed March 8, 1934 2 Sheets-$heet 2 l V l 6am ddaizmaam Gum/mug Patented Mar. 3, 1936 LIE'E'EE gTA'iES Aren't QFFICE OVERHEAD DOOR Application March 8, 1934, Serial No. 714,606

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in stops or bumpers for overhead doors, and has as its principal object the provision of an arrangement of bumpers which will effectively cushion the door at its limit of travel to prevent the door from banging against the terminal track supports when it is fully opened and serve as a check or look to prevent accidental lowering of the door.

A further object resides in the provision of means for storing energy in such an arrangement of bumpers and in rendering such stored energy releasable at will to start the door on its downward or closing movement.

A still further object resides in the provision of an arrangement of bumpers of the character described which is simple and economical to manufacture, easy to install, and which will not readily get out of service in use.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout, I have illustrated a preferred mechanical embodiment of the idea of the invention. The drawings, however, are to be taken for the purpose of illustration only and not as limiting the invention, the scope of which is to be measured entirely by the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a bottom plan view of an overhead door and fragmentary portion of the supporting tracks therefor, looking up at the door from below when the door is in its fully opened position;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing the specific construction of one of the bumpers used to cushion the door at the limit of travel in its opening movement;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the bumper illustrated in Fig. 2, together with the supporting track and a fragmentary portion of the door; and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the construction illustrated in Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral Ii! generally indicates an overhead door, such as is commonly used to close the door openings in garage buildings, or other similar structures.

As an instance of a use to which the improved device of the present invention may be applied, reference may be had to door arrangements such as shown and described in application Ser. No. 630,547 of David M. Robinson, filed August 26, 1932, and wherein is disclosed a pair of overhead rearwardly extending, horizontally disposed straight tracks, a one-piece door having carriers at its upper corners and traveling in the tracks, and means permitting the lower edge of the door to swing in an are when the door is raised and lowered.

In connection with this disclosure, I have illustrated at l2 and I4 fragmentary portions of the horizontal track members which are disposed across the upper part of the garage building and lie along the opposite edges of the door when the door is in the fully opened position illustrated in Fig. 1. These track members are commonly secured together in spaced relation to each other by means of a connecting angle iron I5 and are supported from the roof or frame of the garage building by suitable hangers, fragmentary portions of which are indicated at I1. The ends of the angle iron I5 are secured to the respective track members I2 and 14 by suitable brackets I9 and 2B. As these brackets are similar in all respects, except that one is right-hand and the other is left-hand, it is believed that a description of only one is suflicient for the purpose of this disclosure.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be observed that the bracket generally indicated at 20, is in the form of a generally U-shaped stamping having a web portion 2| and flange or leg portions 22 and 23. The web portion 2| is of such length that the U-shaped bracket just spans the track l2 so that the inner surfaces of the legs 22 and 23 bear upon the adjacent outer surfaces of the track I 2 when the bracket is inserted over the track, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. This bracket member 253 is rigidly secured to the track by means of bolts 25 which extend through registering apertures in the upper flange of the track member and in the upper leg 22 of the bracket, and by means of clamp hooks 21 which are bolted to the lower leg 23 of the bracket, as indicated at 29, and extend over and bear upon the upturned edge of the lower flange of the track member, as indicated at 30. The upper leg 22 of the U-shap-ed bracket member has a diagonal edge 3i which renders it substantially triangular in shape, and this leg serves as a gusset plate by means of which the corresponding end of the angle iron i5 is secured to the adjacent track member by means of bolts 33 which extend through registering apertures in the angle iron and in the leg or gusset plate 22. From the construction so far described, it will be observed that the bracket member 20 is rigidly secured to the track member l2 and that the angle iron I 5 is rigidly secured at its end to the bracket member, thus providing a rigid connection between the track member, the bracket member, and the angle iron.

In order to provide a suitable bumper for cushioning the door at its limit of opening movement, I have secured to the under surface of the leg 23 of the bracket 28, a plate, generally indicated at 35. This plate is provided with an axially located, longitudinally extending, U-shaped depression 31, particularly illustrated in Fig. 3, and with spaced apertures 38 through which bolts 40 extend, said bolts extending also through registering apertures 42 in the leg 23 of the bracket 20 to rigidly secure the plate .to the leg of the bracket member. The apertures 42 in the leg of the bracket member are in the form of elongated slots to permit adjustment of the plate 35 toward or away from the track member l2.

From an inspection of Fig. 4., it will be observed that this depression 31 extends parallel to the track member J2 in spaced relation thereto. Within the depression 31, the plate 35 carries a bolt or plunger, generally indicated at 45, having a portion 45 extending forwardly from the plate and terminating in a tapered end 41. At the end opposite the tapered portion 41, the bolt 45 terminates in a head 49 in the form of a cylindrical enlargement which is larger than the depression 31 and has a radial shoulder which abuts against the rear edge of the plate 35 to restrain the bolt against axial movement in a forward direction relative to the plate 35. In order to restrain the bolt against rearward movement relative to the plate 35, I have provided a stop member, gener-- ally indicated at 50, in the form of a U-shaped plate having leg portions provided with apertures 5| through which the rear pair of the bolts 40 extend to rigidly secure the stop member to the plate 35 and bracket 20. From an inspection of Fig. 4, it will be observed that this U-shaped stop member 59 closely surrounds the enlarged end portion 49 of the bolt 45 and provides an abutment which positively restrains the bolt against movement in a rearward direction relative to the plate 35. It is to be understood, of course, that a similar bolt, mounting plate, and stop member is secured to each of the brackets 19 and 20 in spaced relation to the track members l2 and I4, the bolt secured to the bracket 19 being indicated at 53 in Fig. 1.

Spring bumper members, generally indicated at 55 and 51, adapted to cooperate with the bolts 45 and 53 are secured to the opposite upper corners of the door ID, as clearly illustrated in Fig.

1. As these. bumper members are similar in all respects, only one of them will be described in this disclosure.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, it will be observed that the upper corner of the door 19, adjacent to the bracket 28 when the door is in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, is covered by a face plate 58 having a portion 59 flanged around the edge ofrthe door to cover and protect the same. An outer bracket member, generally indicated at 60, is secured to the door by suitable means, such as the bolts 62, in registry with the face plate 58, a spacer member 64 in the form of a looped strap member being interposed between the face plate 58 and the outer bracket 60. The opposite ends of the outer bracket member are bent outwardly at right angles to the intermediate portion 66 thereof, as indicated at 61 and 68, the forward or upper end 68 being provided centrally thereof with an aperture 10 surrounded by a tapered or funnel-shaped boss 12. Within the 'outer bracket member 68, I have provided an inner bracket member or spring casing, generally indicated at 15. This spring casing 15 is provided with a U-shaped centrally located, longitudinally extending depression, 11 within which is a coiled compression spring 18. The spring casing 15 is further provided with bent up ends 88 and 8 I, the upper or forward bent up end 8| being provided with an aperture 82 in axial alinement with the aperture 10 in the end of the outer bracket 68, and with marginal, longitudinally extending flanges, as indicated at 84, provided with apertures through which the bolts 62 extend to rigidly secure the spring casing 15 to the door ID. From an inspection of Fig. 2, it will be observed that the bent up rear or lower end of the spring casing 15 is in contact with the bent out end 61 of the outer bracket 60 and that this end 80 of the spring casing forms an abutment for thecompression spring 18. The forward end 8| of the spring casing 15 is spaced rearwardly or downwardly from the forward end 68 of the outer bracket 60 for a purpose to be presently described. The spring 18 is provided at each end thereof with a metallic ferrule, as indicated at 86 and 81, and between the forward ferrule 81 and the forward end of the spring, I have interposed an abutment disk 88 adapted to cooperate with the forward end 41 of the bolt 45 to compress the spring 18. 7

From the structure so far described and from an inspection of Fig. 2, it will be observed that when the door is in its limiting position at the end of its opening movement, the forward end 41 of the bolt 45 projectsthrough the alined apertures 10 and 82 into the spring casing 15 and strikes against the forward end of the spring 18 and compresses the spring in the spring casing. As the bolt is rigidly secured to the track construction and as the spring is carried by the door and is provided with a rear abutment rigid with the door, it will be observed that this compression of the spring 18 by the bolt 45 serves to cushion the door at the limit of its opening movement and prevent the door from banging against the supporting structure provided at the end of the door a supporting track.

In order to lock the door in its upper or open position against accidental lowering or closing thereof and to store the energy incident to the compression of the springs and to provide for the i release of this energy to start the door on its downward or closing movement when it is desired to close the door, I have provided, between the end 8| of the spring casing 15 and the end 68 of the outer bracket 60, a cramp plate 90. This cramp plate 90 has a tongue or extension 9| extending through a slot 92 provided in the intermediate portion 66 of the outer bracket 60, the extremity of the tongue 90 being riveted or peened, as indicated at 93, to restrain the cramp plate from separation relative to the bracket 60. The spacer member 64 is .also preferably provided with an aperture 94 surrounding the slot 92 to provide for the insertion and riveting of the cramp plate in the bracket 60 and for freedom of movement of the cramp plate, within certain limits, relative to the bracket 60. The cramp plate is provided near its center with an aperture 95 alined with the apertures 10 and 82in the adjacent end portions of the outer bracket 60 and spring casing 15 and Ill) through which the end46 of the bolt is adapted to project when the bolt enters the spring casing 15. The cramp plate 90 is further provided, adjacent to the lower or inner edge thereof, with a second aperture 91 alined with an aperture 98 provided in the inwardly or downwardly extending end 61 of the outer bracket 65. A rod I00 extends through the apertures 91 and 98 and is provided at the end thereof projecting through the cramp plate with a terminal nut I02 and at the opposite end with a loop or eye I03. A coiled compression spring I95 surrounds the rod I00 between the end 61 of the outer bracket 60 and the cramp plate and serves to bias or cock the cramp plate in such a direction that it will engage the bolt 45 and restrain the same against movement out of the spring casing 15, thereby causing the energy incident to the compression of the spring 18 to be stored until it is desired to close the door. It will be understood that similar cramp plates are provided for each of the abutments, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

For the purpose of releasing this energy to close the door, I have provided a system of links and levers, particularly illustrated in Fig. 1. A link member I I0 connects the rod I I2 of the abutment member 55 to a lever member H4 pivotally secured to the door, approximately centrally of the height thereof and adjacent to the edge to which the abutment member 55 is secured. A similar link member H5 connects the rod I00 of the abutment member 51 to a lever member H1 pivotally secured to the door in horizontal alinement with the lever member H4 and adjacent to the edge to which the abutment member 51 is secured. The two lever members H4 and H1 are connected together by an intermediate member H9 running through guides I20 and preferably provided along its length with a turnbuckle I22 for adjusting the length of the same. The lever member I I1, besides being provided with connections for the ends of the links H5 and H9, is provided with a third arm I25 to which is secured a cable or pull cord I21 which runs over .a pulley I28 secured to the door adjacent to the lower edge portion thereof and projects downwardly into the garage building within easy reach or the person operating the door. From the above description, it will be observed that a pull on the pull cord I21 will operate the links H0 and I I5 to simultaneously move the rods I00 and I I2 to release the cramp plates from the bolts 45 and 53. When this is done, the energy stored in the compression springs will be released, and the door will be started on its downward or closing movement, thus relieving the operator from any necessity of giving a starting impulse to the door when it is in its overhead position, in which case it would be inconvenient to impart such a starting impulse.

In this illustration, I have shown the spring secured to the door and the pin secured to the track bracket. It is to be understood, however, that the relative locations of these elements may be reversed without in any way departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

While I have illustrated and described a particular mechanical embodiment of the idea of my invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features so illustrated and described but that such changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having now described my invention so that others skilled in the art may clearly understand the same, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a slidable door, a track therefor, and means for supporting said track, said means comprising a transverse member connecting the terminal ends of said track, a U- shaped bracket having an intermediate portion ioning means secured to said door, said cushioning means comprising, an apertured outer bracket, an apertured spring casing carried by said outer bracket, and a spring in said spring casing, said apertures being alined for the reception of said plunger therethrough whereby said plunger may enter said spring casing to compress said spring.

2. In combination with a slidable door, a track therefor, and means for supporting said track, said means comprising a transverse member connecting the terminal ends of said track, a U- shaped bracket having an intermediate portion surrounding said track and having one leg formed as a gusset plate for rigidly securing the end of said transverse member to the end of said track, the other leg of said bracket member constituting a support for a fixed abutment, said first abutment comprising a plunger, a plate for securing said plunger to said leg of said bracket, and an abutment plate for restraining said plunger against movement relative to said securing plate, said plunger cooperating with a cushioning means secured to said door, said cushioning means comprising, an apertured outer bracket, an apertured spring casing carried by said outer bracket, a spring in said spring casing, said apertures being alined for the reception of said plunger therethrough whereby said plunger may enter said spring casing to compress said spring,'and means for releasably retaining said spring under compression comprising a cramp plate secured to said outer bracket and adapted to engage said plunger when said plunger is in spring compressing position in said spring casing.

3. In a device for cushioning doors, locking the same in open position and imparting a starting impulse to the door on closing movement, and including a fixed plunger having one end tapered, a casing adapted to be secured to the door and be moved therewith rectilinearly towards and away from and to receive the tapered end of said plunger, a compression spring in said casing aligned with said plunger, a cramp plate carried by said casing for limited pivotal movement generally in the direction of action of said spring and having an aperture adapted to receive said plunger, and. a spring for biasing said cramp plate to cause the same to frictionally engage said plunger and releasably maintain said compression spring under compression when said plunger extends through said aperture, said cramp plate being drawn from said plunger on the closing movement of the door, and said plunger automatically entering the aperture in Cir said cramp plate and engaging said compression spring when the casing is moved towards the plunger.

4. In a device for cushioning doors, locking the same in' open position and imparting a starting impulse to the door on closing movement, and including a fixed plunger having one end tapered, a bracket adapted to be secured to a door and to be moved therewith rectilinearly toward and away from said plunger, said bracket having end walls, one of which is provided with a tapered boss for guiding the tapered end of said plunger into said bracket, a compression spring between the end walls of the bracket'and aligned with said plunger, a cramp plate carried by said bracket between said boss and said spring and mounted for limited pivotal movement generally in the direction of action of said spring, said cramp plate having an aperture adapted to receive the plunger, and a spring for biasing said cramp plate to cause the same to frictionally engage'said plunger and releasably maintain said c0mpression spring under compression when said plunger extends through said aperture, said casing and cramp plate being withdrawn from said plunger on the closing movement of the door, and said plunger automatically entering the aperture in said cramp; plate and engaging said spring when the casing is moved towards the plunger.

CARL J. JOHNSON. 

